Moving to England - best way to transport all my stuff....?

abelard

Hi there,

I'm moving to England very soon to study for a year. I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations of the best (read: least expensive) way of bringing my stuff with me. I'm not going to be too laden with stuff, maybe 2-3 suitcases, since I have to bring all my clothes for a year, some books, some kitchenwear, bedwear, etc.

Anyway, my options are, I guess - a) plane - is it doable? Are there any carriers that will let me travel from Ireland to the UK without ripping me off for baggage like both Ryanainr and Aer Lingus do? b) sail & rail - have never done this before, anyone have any epxerience of it? c) moving company - are there any out there that are reasonable and reliable?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

NoseyMike2010

probably bus .... but it really depends where you are going. Ryan air would cost you a few thousand!!!!

You could also hire a van if you really had that much stuff.

undo

Actually, Ryanair will not cost you all that much (if you follow the rules and do not assume that trying to sneak 23kg onto the plane when you paid for 20kg will be OK). The first bag can weigh up to 20kg and costs €25. The second bag is up to 15kg and costs €35. So for €60, you can bring two suitcases totaling 35kg. If that is not enough, you can do a couple of round trips. Rail & sail will be a bit cheaper but will take many more hours.

Fratton Fred

I guess it depends on where in England you are heading. BMI are quite cheap for extra luggage but they only fly to Heathrow.

Sail Rail is pretty easy, but you have to lug all your suitcases around with you once you are off the ferry. The upside is, you can bring whatever you like.

There is also Eurolines coaches, but they may have a luggage restriction.

abelard

Thanks for the advice so far. I really should have said - it's London I'm moving to

breadmonkey

Anyone know how the Eurolines coaches work? i.e. do you get on the coach, the coach gets on the ferry and continues on to London at the other end?

Fratton Fred

breadmonkey wrote: »

Anyone know how the Eurolines coaches work? i.e. do you get on the coach, the coach gets on the ferry and continues on to London at the other end?

That's pretty much it, yep.

Fratton Fred

abelard wrote: »

Thanks for the advice so far. I really should have said - it's London I'm moving to

personally i would get the sail rail from Rosslaire via fishguard with Stena Line. Very easy if you can get to Rosslaire. You need to change trains at Swansea, but it is pretty easy as it is not a big station. the train from Swansea takes you into Paddington.

From Holyhead the train times aren't as easy, but again, its not that difficult.

Eurolines isn't difficult either, but you might want to check your luggage allowance as it may not be unlimited.

Third_Echelon

if you have a parent, friend or whoever... ask them very nicely if they would do a round trip in a car with you and pay for the ferry... save you a lot of hassle and effort..

make a road trip out of it... dinner is on you etc :-)

Davidth88

Third_Echelon wrote: »

if you have a parent, friend or whoever... ask them very nicely if they would do a round trip in a car with you and pay for the ferry... save you a lot of hassle and effort..

make a road trip out of it... dinner is on you etc :-)

That was going to be my suggestion too.

Driving to London is not that painful.

breadmonkey

Just for general information, here are the luggage restrictions for the Eurolines coaches:

Luggage

Each adult passenger is allowed a maximum of two medium sized suitcases or bags free of charge – each item not exceeding 80 x 70 x 20 cm in size and 15 kg in weight. In addition one small item of hand luggage, capable of fitting in an overhead luggage rack or under a seat is permitted. It is the responsibility of each passenger to present personally their luggage for customs and/or security examination when required.

All luggage must be labelled and is carried at owner’s risk. Medication, money, travel/identity documents and other valuable items must not be carried in luggage but should be carried on the person at all times. Hand luggage must not be left unaccompanied in the coach during the ferry crossing or at refreshment stops. Additional luggage including bulky or heavy items will not
be carried due to weight and space restrictions.

The company is not obliged to carry any of the following items of luggage and passengers may not bring them onto any coach - any weapons, drugs or solvents (other than medicines), live or dead animals, fish or insects, battery powered wheelchairs, prams, non-folding pushchairs, bicycles, skis and surfboards.

The company does not accept liability for loss or damage to the passenger’s luggage or to any possessions of the passenger (however caused), unless such loss or damage is proven to have been caused by the negligence, breach of duty or breach of statutory duty of the company. In the event of the company being proven liable for loss or damage under this clause the liability shall be limited to a maximum of €254 per passenger.